One of the problems facing grammatical purists is that word processors pick out most errors but allow this one - and the dreaded greengrocer's (or greengrocers') apostrophe - to go unchecked.

Hence the proliferation on product labels and notices of such phrases as 'this product with it's [sic] lavender fragrance...'; as the spell/grammar checker doesn't flag it up, the copywriter assumes it's correct and it goes to press.

It's all part of the increased reliance on IT - a thousand years ago the British believed the Pope was infallible; now most of them believe the same of their computers.

At least they aren't making spurious claims about the 'benefits' of CCTV as my local DIY store does: "For Your Safety and Security, Surveillance Cameras Operate in This Store" and "For Your Safety and Security, These Products Are Tagged."

Sir Terry Leahy, the Tesco CEO, recently complained about poor literacy among the nation's school leavers. He said - to paraphrase him - that his company had to pick the pieces, and teach their young recruits the 3 r's. They don't appear to doing a good job.